Yamaha Waveforce SW100 + Yamaha Waveforce SW200 (1996?)

[chrisNova777]

http://web.archive.org/web/19990823131621/http://www.giles.com/yamaha1/pressreleases/computer/year/sw100.html
http://web.archive.org/web/19990508002540/http://www.giles.com/yamaha1/Comdex/sw100.html

Yamaha Introduces First PCI Soundcards With
Downloadable Samples and XG Midi


WaveForce SW100 and SW200 Audio Cards Announced

LAS VEGAS -- Yamaha Corporation of America, the world's largest manufacturer of audio components for computers, today unveiled the WaveForce SW100 and SW200, the first complete PCI-bus soundcards with XG MIDI and DLS (DownLoadable Sounds).

"Yamaha pioneered computer sound with FM and wavetable sound chips. With the advent of these new PCI cards, we're perfecting computer sound," said Gerry Tschetter, product and marketing manager, Consumer Products Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "These cards are truly soundcards for the next generation of computers. The SW100 and SW200 will exceed the requirements of the Intel / Microsoft PC '98 standard."

Among the advantages of a PCI soundcard is the ability to implement DLS (DownLoadable Sounds) - something that is not possible with ISA-bus cards. DLS allows game developers, Web programmers and other content creators to load their own custom instruments and sound effects into the soundcard and trigger the sounds via MIDI. This approach provides a far more efficient use of bandwidth than streaming audio or WAV file playback.

Demand for the DLS-1 specification, which was recently approved by the Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG) of the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA), was driven by content developers who required more versatility in their audio applications. With this in mind, Yamaha designed its SW100 and SW200 sound cards to meet or exceed all requirements of the DLS-1 specification. Additionally, Internet site developers and CD-ROM creators are expected to release content that exploits DLS technology during the second half of 1998. Gamers and musicians are in for a real treat when they use the SW100 and SW200 with MIDI games and music applications. Yamaha's XG MIDI means that there are more voices, more digital effects processing and more MIDI music power than you have ever heard from a soundcard.

Another feature of the Yamaha PCI cards is the ability to output digital audio via a built-in SP/DIF digital audio output. In addition, digital audio can also be output via USB-which will become increasingly important as the installed base of USB equipped computers and multimedia audio systems grows.

"DLS and USB aside, the other specifications and features of these cards are truly impressive," said Gerry Tschetter. "With 18-bit AD (analog to digital) and DACs (digital to analog converters) and a signal to noise ratio exceeding 90dB, the audio quality will be what computer users expect from a company with roots in professional musical instruments, audiophile hifi, and professional recording."

The SW100 boasts an impressive 64 notes polyphony which may be GM, GS, XG or DLS voices. This is supplemented by 128 voices from Yamaha's XG SoftSynth (included). The SW200 delivers 64 notes of polyphony from a hardware-based wavetable synthesizer with an 8MB wave ROM - this in addition to 128 XG SoftSynth notes and 64 DLS notes. The SW100 and SW200 are compatible with both legacy and "coming-attraction" operating systems including DOS, Win 3.1, Win 95, Win NT and Memphis (Win 98). DLS will require Win 98 as this is the only OS supporting this new standard.